MLB 2017 Season

[Vander Blue Man Group]

YAY!!!!


Damn...

You're right - I'll stop.

Maybe.

[MU82]

Cardinals are toast.

Will the same be true of the Brewers one week from now? It's certainly possible.

Still, as a guy without a horse in the race who just wants the race to be great, I'm rooting for Milwaukee to get hot, sweep the Cubbies from Thu-Sun, and make this thing really interesting.

P.S.: Gotta take care of business vs. Pirates first, or else the Cubbie series won't matter.

[MUBurrow]

Its probably irrelevant if the Crew don't basically win each series the rest of the way, but if they're able to do that, I'm not sure if they have better odds at catching the Cubbies or the Rockies. They're 4 back of the Cubs, who are certainly a better team than Colorado, and only 2.5 back of the Rockies. But the schedules are weird. The 4 game series against ChC could swing the gap in a hurry, and the Cubs have the Rays and at StL left on the schedule, when they're slated to face Weaver, Martinez, Wacha, Lynn. Colorado meanwhile has SF, then SD, then Mia, and finishes with the Dodgers. But the Dodgers aren't probably going to run full strength lineups out there, and I would venture to guess there's almost zero chance that the Dodgers actually pitch their rotation as currently scheduled (Hill, Ryu, Kershaw).

[Jockey]

But the Dodgers aren't probably going to run full strength lineups out there, and I would venture to guess there's almost zero chance that the Dodgers actually pitch their rotation as currently scheduled (Hill, Ryu, Kershaw).

I'm guessing they will, but not in that order. Also, I wouldn't expect to see Kershaw or Hill go more than 5 or 6 innings.

[Benny B]

But the Dodgers aren't probably going to run full strength lineups out there, and I would venture to guess there's almost zero chance that the Dodgers actually pitch their rotation as currently scheduled (Hill, Ryu, Kershaw).

First game of NLDS is Friday following, so bank on Kershaw pitching the last day of the season. 

Additionally... having spent a nice chunk on the DL recently (not to mention less-than-stellar performances his last three starts) and with normal rest in front of him, I have a hard time believing DR would yank him early in game 162.

[MerrittsMustache]

First game of NLDS is Friday following, so bank on Kershaw pitching the last day of the season. 

Additionally... having spent a nice chunk on the DL recently (not to mention less-than-stellar performances his last three starts) and with normal rest in front of him, I have a hard time believing DR would yank him early in game 162.

If Kershaw puts in a solid 5 innings against the Rockies, he's coming out of the game. No brainer. Especially with another potential match-up against Colorado looming in the NLDS. In the game 162, have him get his work in and get him out of there.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Pet peeve for baseball announcers. When they say phrases like this: "That's not a strike...well, its going to be a strike on the K zone....but I don't think it should be a strike."

[drewm88]

Pet peeve for baseball announcers. When they say phrases like this: "That's not a strike...well, its going to be a strike on the K zone....but I don't think it should be a strike."

I don't think I've ever heard that. Who've you been listening to?

[Benny B]

If Kershaw puts in a solid 5 innings against the Rockies, he's coming out of the game. No brainer. Especially with another potential match-up against Colorado looming in the NLDS. In the game 162, have him get his work in and get him out of there.

The Venn diagram between has more overlap than a pedophile dressed up as Santa Claus.  IOW, I think we're in agreement that Kershaw isn't going the distance in g162 regardless of pitch count but he's also not going out there with a hard pitch count in the 50's.

[buckchuckler]

I don't think I've ever heard that. Who've you been listening to?

Thought the same thing.

[Archies Bat]

I don't think I've ever heard that. Who've you been listening to?

Sounds like something a Cubs fan would say.

[jesmu84]

Pet peeve for baseball announcers. When they say phrases like this: "That's not a strike...well, its going to be a strike on the K zone....but I don't think it should be a strike."

Need robots/video/technology for balls/strikes. Need it now.

[buckchuckler]

Need robots/video/technology for balls/strikes. Need it now.

I agree. If for nothing else, just to end the "pitch framing" madness. 

[GB Warrior]

I agree. If for nothing else, just to end the "pitch framing" madness.

Such grit!

[buckchuckler]

Such grit!

[drewm88]

Sounds like something a Cubs fan would say.

With one of our own calling the games, of course Cubs fans don't hear the dumb crap like that.

[jesmu84]

9

[Dr. Blackheart]

9

Brew Crew holding strong, though, with Cubs coming to town.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Thanks for nothing, Pirates.

[jsglow]

Pressure. 

[Jockey]

I agree. If for nothing else, just to end the "pitch framing" madness.

Just the fact that we have pitch framing and some catchers are much better than others is proof enough we need robot umps calling balls/strikes. The location of the pitch should determine whether a pitch is a ball or strike. How the catcher catches it should be no factor.

It will come when the technology is there. It's close, but not quite there yet.

[🏀]

Just the fact that we have pitch framing and some catchers are much better than others is proof enough we need robot umps calling balls/strikes. The location of the pitch should determine whether a pitch is a ball or strike. How the catcher catches it should be no factor.

It will come when the technology is there. It's close, but not quite there yet.

This.

I think the pitch tracking technology is there, but the delivery system needs further development.

[CTWarrior]

This.

I think the pitch tracking technology is there, but the delivery system needs further development.

On the Bryant Gumbel Sports show on HBO they had a former player (I forget which) call games using the technology.  He got a little beep or buzz in ear buds when it was a strike.  It was easy for a technician to change the strike zone batter to batter.  No issues in the game.  No need to wait too long IMO.  Umps can always go back to current method if tech fails.

I agree 100% that if pitch framing is a thing, then something needs to be done.  When I umped youth sports I discouraged catchers from doing it by telling them, "when you move the glove after you catch it, it means to me you didn't think it was a strike and I will make the call accordingly."  At the youth age they aren't too subtle about it and it is easy to catch.  Thinking back, I was probably doing them a disservice since pitch framing is apparently a skill worth refining.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

One game back of the Rockies. Les go!

[jsglow]

One game back of the Rockies. Les go!

Win tonight and take 3/4 this weekend and the last week of the season is going to be incredible regardless of the final outcome.